1. Night
By Elie Wiesel

2. An idyllic childhood
1929: Wiesel was born in Sighet Transylvania (which is part of Romania)
1939: Romania is invaded by the Nazis
1941: Wiesel’s nightmare begins. He is 12 years old

3. Orthodox Judaism Followers belong to a synagogue or “shul”
Guiding religious text: TORAH
Wiesel was Orthodox
-strict following of Jewish law & practices

4. Orthodox Children
All practicing Orthodox Jews cover their heads as a sign of respect towards God

5. Other Orthodox Practices
Non Jews are referred to as “Gentiles”
Spiritually guided by a rabbi
Primary holy language is Hebrew or Yiddish

6. Sacred Traditions Shabbat- Jewish Sabbath or Sunday
Kosher: meat and dairy must be prepared, cooked and served separately

7. Major Jewish Holidays
Passover: commemorates Jewish people leaving Egypt
a. seder- ritual dinner during this holiday
Yom Kippur: Day where Jews are expected to ask for forgiveness from their sins
Chanukkah-Festival of Lights

8. The publication of Night
After the war--Wiesel took a 10 year vow of silence before he began writing the book.
When he finally finished—he had difficulty finding a publisher b/c of the graphic content
Now it is a historical classic

9. An overview of Night Elie Wiesel is 15 years old at the time.
Set in two camps—Auschwitz & Buchenwald

10. Other Night vocabulary
ghetto: a small area of a city to which the Jewish people were restricted and from which they were forbidden to leave.
kapo: overseer in charge of a work detail, or some other branch of a concentration camp. Often, kapos were selected from the prisoners—usually the criminals.

11. Wiesel’s life since the War
Lived in Paris for 10 years (worked as a journalist)
Eventually moved to the U.S.--lives in NYC
1986—given the Nobel Peace Prize
Travels around the world to help with peace efforts